SPECIAL EQUIPMENT 'HE BIG CON TRACTOR
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A Public WO7ks Car (Leeds), Ltd., Need Vehicles, But Alsc
M. Harrison and Co. Big Fleet of Sound Special Equipment
PROMINENT among the names of important public works contractors in the north of England is that of M. Harrison and Co. (Leeds), Ltd., a company which has been responsible for some of the largest contracts in Yorkshire within recent years. Lately, the growth in the size of operations has been rapid, and an extensive fleet of road vehicles has been developed under the supervision of the transport manager, Mr. A. Teate.
Of particular interest, among recent additions, is an articulated E.R.F. Lorry, supplied by Messrs. Wheatley and Whitfr.ey, of Leeds, which can be used for the transportation of heavy constructional machinery, such as mechanical excavators and cranes, or can be converted into a power hydraulic tipper, complete with trailer for carrying equipment. The tractive unit is a six-wheeled E.R.F. and the detachable semi-trailers have been made by R. A. Dyson and Co., Ltd., of Liverpool.
Mounting for Cranes and Excavators.
For carrying cranes, excavators and similar equipment, the special outfit is mounted on four rear wheels in line, each pair running on detachable rocking axles, and each fitted with twin 9.75by 20 Michelin tyres. This platform is permanently adapted for use in conjunction with crane or excavator. Powerful winches are provided at the front for drawing the crane into its place, but the excavator can be dNveri on to the platform under its own power, running up ramps that are lowered in the place of the outside rear wheels. The trailer has Girling brakes. A 16-ft. 6-in, tipping body semi-trailer -is also available which uses Spenborough heavy-duty tipping gear.
Other units of the fleet are 29 Fordson and Bedford 3-tonners, nine 6-ton Leylands, a 12-ton Leyland for machinery transport, • six Muir-Hill dumpers, and a 6k-ton mobile crane £112 mounted on a Hippo six-wheeler chassis.
There are also 13 excavators, 12 compressors, 9 scrapers, 14 concrete mixers and 12 water pumps for use on the contracts. This is the " outside " section of the plant that requires transportation, but there is, in addition, a great quantity of machinery at the company's headquarters at Post Hill, the one-time-famous test hill, near Leeds.
Owing to the exceptional conditions of service, the vehicles, unless specially built in the first case, have to be adapted to suit the work. Where stone has to be carried, floors, bodies, cabs and chassis have been strengthened to withstand the contents of 3-ton tub: being dumped from a height of 6 ft.
Gearbox and back-axle ratios have been worked out as a result of long experience with : the loose and -uneven surfaces .that are frequently encountered. Specialized assistance on the mechanical side is given by Messrs. Wheatley and Whiteley.
The staff, at the company's garage at Post Hill, is responsible for all ordinary repairs and maintenance, both for mobile and stationary plant. Since careful planning is necessary, to synchronize properly the supply of vehicles with the capacity of, say, the excavators, a failure might easily throw the whole contract out of gear, so the endeavour is to concentrate on preventing trouble and expediting rectification of breakdowns. To this end, complete reconditioned engines, front axles, and gearboxes are kept in stock so that there shall be a minimum of delay in replacement. Spare bodies of each type are also available.
The work of the mobile machines is costed and charged out to the various jobs,-due provision being made for extraordinary repairs necessitated, from time to time, by the abnormal conditions of work. All types undergo complete overhaul at fixed periods, the exact length of time elapsing being dependent on the-sort. of work allotted to . the particular machine. For routine service a special staff is kept on duty at week-ends and deals with the cleaning, greasing, brake adjustments and similar requirements.
Selection of suitable tyres for the heavy duties of the fleet was the subject of careful study by representatives of the Michelin Tyre Co., Ltd., and the Michelin N-type was ultimately chosen, tractor types of cover being in almost general use throughout the company's vehicles.
Considerable use is made of B. and E. tipping gears. Shell lubricating oils and fuel are used and for the oil engines in particular a new grade of lubricant is being used that has been evolved to aid this type to its greatest efficiency.
Extensive Contracts.
It is of interest to learn that the company is concerned in laying the largest single-pipe sewer in Yorkshire, which runs from the Middleton Housing Estate at Knostrop. Another contract of first-rate. importance was that in respect of the new Queens Hotel in the centre of Leeds. In this case, the company was responsible for the demolition of the old building, the clearance of the site and the supply of part of the stone for the new building. '
In the course of constructing sewers, making roads, demolishing old property, clearing sites, building foundations and carrying out general rt.i.iy:nry work, the Harrison fleet is constantly traversing awkward roads under the most difficult conditions, and it is by preventive maintenance, combined with specially adapted vehicles and careful synchronization of the various activities, that it is possible for the hug3 undertakings to be carried out with smoothness and efficiency.